CEO Message
Dear all,
The EKKA is underway in Brisbane and it’s great to see the eNVD enjoying increased popularity with organisers and exhibitors. This trend started with Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, and I’m hoping we continue to see eNVDs being the preferred option for exhibitors and agricultural shows moving forward.
To help with this the ISC team recently updated two eNVD instructional videos to help producers get comfortable with using the eNVD web-based system and mobile app for consignments. If you’re looking to make the switch to digital, you can find these videos and other resources on the eNVD help page.
LPA Changes
Many of you will have seen our recent email letting you know that from 1 September there will be some changes to the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program.
A key change is a new Self-Assessment tool for accreditation and reaccreditation will replace the existing questionnaire. This new tool will offer producers improved learning opportunities whilst accrediting or reaccrediting with the LPA program. Upon completion, producers will be able to download their own ‘personalised’ Recommendations Report which will contain specific information to further assist in meeting the requirements of LPA.
Biosecurity
The new LPA Self-Assessment process prompts producers to either upload a biosecurity plan or answer specific biosecurity-related questions whilst doing the assessment. This is particularly important as spring approaches with migratory birds set to increase the risk of avian influenza and other diseases in Australia’s north. It’s a timely reminder to make sure your biosecurity plan is in place to minimise the risk of outbreaks on your property. Having a biosecurity plan finalised will also help guide your response if you do see any signs of disease in your livestock.
Sheep and goat eIDs
Last week, ISC’s Manager – Quality, Policy and Compliance, Elizabeth Bradley, attended LambEx to meet with producers and discuss the upcoming LPA changes and the national rollout of mandatory eID for sheep and goats from 1 January.
Any sheep or goat producers who need more guidance on what’s required could benefit from watching the recordings of some recent Sheep and Goat Traceability Task Force-hosted webinars.
In addition, ISC also hosted its regular State and Territory Partner Webinar Series in July with sheep and goat eID and how to use the NLIS and the basics of the eNVD covered. To catch up on those webinars, visit our website. A webinar for Victorian producers is being held on Thursday 27 August and is now open for registrations.
The Goat Industry Council of Australia will also host a series of in-person workshops in Broken Hill, Charleville, Cobar, Dubbo and Longreach later this month. More information about the events and details on how to RSVP can be found on the ISC Events page.
NLIS Database Uplift Project
Work continues on the NLIS Database Uplift Project to develop a new and more user-friendly National Livestock Identification System platform with some initial concept testing conducted in July. This involved inviting a group of producers to test some prototypes for key functions including movement transactions. So far, the responses have been largely positive, and we look forward to implementing that feedback in the designs, which are on track to be finalised by the end of September.
ISC Software Integrator Survey
As part of our ongoing commitment to improve the functionality of ISC’s products, including NLIS and eNVD, we are conducting a survey with agri-tech software providers to better understand their needs, experiences and pain points. If you use specific software to manage your operations, it would be appreciated if you could forward this survey to your provider. This valuable feedback will directly influence how we develop, support, and enhance our products and services to serve you better.
I appreciate your support and look forward to keeping you informed on these important projects.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading this month’s edition of Integrity Matters.
Kind regards
Jo Quigley
Chief Executive Officer